Welcome to Our Foundation Gallery

A foundation is... Well, by general definition, it is the basis upon which something stands or is supported. In this case, a structure. Most of us would like to believe that a foundation will last forever, or nearly. Unfortunately, while a foundation will last a good long time, it will not be eternal. Some older concrete foundations are crumbling and in poor condition. Unwashed sand, excessive water, a lack of reinforcing steel, and inadequate amounts of cement can all contribute to the premature failure of a foundation. Another consideration would be seismic resistance. Homes constructed in the last 20 years or so are much more able to withstand an earthquake than homes constructed prior to the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes. If your home was constructed prior to the mid 1990s, it might be a good idea to consider looking at updating the structure of your home with seismic upgrades. A licensed structural engineer can design upgrades that will help to strengthen your investment against earthquake damage. With a huge amount of useful engineering and structural information, a great place to start is the Simpson Strong-Tie website.

Perimeter Foundations

Older foundations can be unpredictable. Some are essentially in good condition while others are no longer functioning as we would hope. Replacement of a foundation is quite costly and repairs are not always effective. Most homeowners do not have a desire to crawl under their home, but we will.

Floor Support

Perimeter Foundations

Floor framing can support a significant amout of weight and the condition of the framing is important. While some limited notching is allowed, excessive cuts or notches in floor framing will weaken the floor support, often resulting in sagging or even collapse. An inspection of the floor framing will provide valuable information.

Water & Drainage

Perimeter Foundations

Water & Drainage

While some amount of moisture under a home is common and expected, excessive levels of water can cause a variety of problems. These can range from corrodion of metal supports, decayed wood framing, and damage to heater ducting. Proper exterior drainage is vital to the health of a home and its systems.

Accessibility

Mid-Span Support

Water & Drainage

Frankly, there are some homes where we cannot fully inspect the foundation area. When the clearance is inadequate, we just don't fit. Minimum clearance under floor joists is 18" and under girder is 12", but sometimes, you don't even get that.

Mid-Span Support

Mid-span support should be straighforward and simple. We really do not want to see Rube Goldberg-like methods of support as they are more likely to fail.

Insulation

Mid-Span Support

Another cause for concern is fallen and damaged building insulation. Not only is the insulation not doing its job, but it makes access difficult and often impossible.